Reduce fuel prices : Associations to Govt

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Aug 31 : At least five bus owner and van service associations have submitted a memorandum to the State Government to reduce  the price of petrol and  diesel in Manipur.
The associations that submitted the  memorandum are The Scheduled Caste-Tribe Imphal Senapati Transport Corporation Limited; Ukhrul District Bus Owners Association; United Bus Owners Welfare Association Manipur; Assam Rifles Public School Van Services Association and  Imphal Churachandpur Bus Owners and Workers Association.
The memorandum also asked the Government to reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) levied on fuel, by taking into account the rate of other North East States.
It may be mentioned that the Finance Department, in a notification dated August 19, 2021, had asked  all stakeholders, if willing, to express their view/comment on the VAT rate levied on petrol (32 percent) and diesel (18 percent).
As a response, the five associations submitted  their opinions to the Under Secretary (Finance).
According to the memorandum, the price of petrol (1 litre) in Assam is Rs 97.33 while the same is Rs 100.99 in Nagaland; Rs 96.70 in Meghalaya and Rs 106.07 in Manipur.
Diesel price, on the other hand, is Rs 88.29 in Assam; Rs 91 in Nagaland; Rs 88.04 in Meghalaya  and Rs 93.09 in Manipur (VAT included).
Highlighting that fuel prices are costlier in Manipur as compared to the three North East States, the associations asserted that majority of the trucks carrying LPG and POL now refill their gases from other States where the prices are more affordable. Claiming that the State is losing revenue as  many inter-state vehicles opt to refill their tanks from Assam and Meghalaya where fuel is cheaper, the memorandum maintained that the rate of retail selling of fuel has also dropped considerably in Manipur.
Saying that price hike of petrol and diesel also directly affects the common man as price of other   commodities are determined by fuel price, the associations urged the State Government to reduce the fuel price to the rate where it is being sold in Assam and Meghalaya.